Stromatolites: The Building Blocks of Life
Published: Nov 15, 2019
Photo Courtesy: Barni
Living stromatalites are very rare. The only known sites are Shark Bay, Australia, the Bahamas, and the Great Salt Lake, Utah. In India , however, there are well-defined and unique fossil stromatalite structures in many locations.
Abstract: Stromatolites record the evolutionary signature of earliest life forms on Earth. The prolific growth of stromatolites found in carbonate rocks were deposited between 3900 and 541 million years ago. The cyanobacteria, responsible for the formation of stromatolites obtained their energy through photosynthesis, thus utilising carbon dioxide from water and rocks—liberating large quantities of oxygen in return. India, fortunately, has extensive stromatolites deposits in the limestone and phosphate facies providing a natural laboratory for the study of the history of earth and it’s evolving environment.
TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE
Already have an account? Log In
Keep reading with one of these options :
OR
MORE ARTICLES
Chronic Hot Days: Heatwaves, Health Consequences and Policy Framework
Heatwaves have become one of the most lethal and least acknowledged consequences of climate change in India. What was once an occasional extreme is now a defining feature of India’s seasonal climate,...
Salty Invasion: Sea-Level Rise, Saltwater Intrusion and Coastal Communities
India’s coastal regions, stretching thousands of kilometers, are on the frontlines of a creeping environmental crisis—saltwater intrusion. Unlike cyclones or tsunamis, this is a disaster that doesn’t...
Forecasting Heat: Science, Governance, and the Crisis of Compliance
Heatwaves in India have evolved from seasonal anomalies to one of the country’s most pressing climate emergencies. While the meteorological understanding of heatwaves has advanced significantly, facil...
Satellites and Blue Tech: Tech-Driven Blue Economy in India
The oceans, covering over 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface, have long been perceived as infinite reservoirs of resources. However, with the escalation of climate change impacts and pressures from hu...